CANTON, Ohio — Eight tight ends are enshrined here in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, their bronzed busts glowing among the game’s greatest legends.

Can the 49ers’ Vernon Davis not only join them, but also trump them? That’s his stated plan, as bold as it might be.

Three months ago, Davis made a promise while speaking at Coolidge High in his native Washington, D.C.: “I will be the best tight end to ever play this game. I have a vision.”

The seventh-year veteran hasn’t stopped envisioning greatness.

That’s how Davis explains his current scoring spree, the best of his ever-improving career. He shares the NFL lead with four touchdown receptions, and he’s caught at least one touchdown pass every game this season for the 49ers (2-1).

Davis had two touchdown receptions in each of the 49ers’ playoff games last season, including the game winner in their epic, divisional-round comeback over the New Orleans Saints.

Davis traces his success to keeping things simple — and positive.

“I just let it come, and I try to envision myself scoring,” Davis said while the 49ers settle in for a five-day stay in Boardman, Ohio, before playing Sunday at the New York Jets.

To this point, Davis’ resume includes just one Pro Bowl appearance, one playoff victory and one ignominious ejection from a 2008 game by then-49ers interim coach Mike Singletary.

Singletary wanted “winners,” and since that moment four years ago, Davis has been an integral part of any 49ers offensive success — as a receiver and blocker. An every-down player, Davis’ duties often exceed those of other tight ends around the league who are more celebrated for their receiving production.

But as well as Davis can block, it’s his ability to get loose down the sideline for long receptions that is opening eyes around the league.

“The proof is there,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Instead of trying to cover Davis with a linebacker, defenses are hoping a safety can handle that task, and quarterback Alex Smith still is exploiting those mismatches.

“When I first got here, I had linebackers on me all day,” Davis said. “It’s amazing how that’s changed.”

Through three games, Davis’ stats are lofty, and they’ve come from within an offense that remains reliant on a power running attack. He is averaging 13.0 yards per reception, having totaled 13 catches for 169 yards.

He’s tied for the league lead in touchdowns with Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller (15 receptions, 129 yards, 8.6 per-catch average).

Any talk of “best-ever tight end” demands the acknowledgment of Tony Gonzalez, who has 21 receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns for the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons. Gonzalez, in his 16th and likely final season, ranks second in NFL history with 1,170 receptions, behind only Jerry Rice’s 1,549.

Davis celebrated that 39th touchdown in low-key fashion Sunday, conscious that the 49ers were trailing in an eventual 24-13 loss at Minnesota. “I was going to shoot it again,” Davis said of his jump shot over the goal post a week earlier against Detroit. “But it would’ve taken away from what we were trying to do.”

His bold vision has Davis making the right moves before and after the whistle these days.